Yesterday’s pride parade here in Edmonton spent the morning setting up on the street underneath my balcony. I stood looking down at it in my dressing gown with my glass water bottle. People looked up at me and waved. I smiled back.

At 11AM, the call was made and the parade started marching. The first groups to march represented the following organizations: the Canadian Armed Forces, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, TD Canada Trust (bank), the New Democratic Party (Alberta’s ruling party), and the Edmonton Police Service. I shook my head and went back inside.

Sundays are for walking around in the heat, glowing with affection. It’s the one week out of the year when little green caterpillars hang from trees suspended by long strings of silk. You’re on a path through the river valley and discover that three of the creatures are clinging to your shirt, wiggling, choosing their next move. A caterpillar operates so differently from humans as to be almost incomprehensible. Below is a poem; share it with a friend who would like it. As always, I’m here if you want to talk. Have a great week, everybody.

Crash

when the wind starts up my bedroom door always opensgetting it closed – hearing the click – is almost impossible.

i went to the store to get spinach for dinner.

pain in the abdomenpain in the headpain in the keyboard.

on to the next move.

you’re looking out the window and it’s ok to look out the window.

browsing animal adoption websites for a hairless cat.

it hurts.

i’ve made something.

once a dayfor a while.

we did it.

together we did it.

it’s you and iit’s our fervour.

it’s our passion for the subject.

almostalmost reaching acrossthe roomfor you.

i close my eyesand we’re on the floorkissing.

the televisionis playing crashby cronenberg.

i’m older than i’d imagined.

it’s good to be here with you.

Originally published June 5, 2016.

Theodore Fox is a poet living on Treaty Six land in Canada.Sunday Poems is supported via Patreon.If you enjoy this work, consider becoming a patron.website | twitter | instagram